Free The Mark: The Beast Rules The World by Tim Lahaye, Jerry B. Jenkins Page A

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    floor.”
    “No utility room, no elevator-maintenance area?”
    “Nothing, sir.”
    “I want more room, Leon. Are you taking notes?”
    “Yes, sir.” L “What do you have so far?” “Autopsy photos, coroner’s report, the rising.” “Add the expansion of my office. I want it twice as high, with a transparent ceiling that exposes me to the
    heavens.”
    “Consider it done, Excellency.” “How soon?” Carpathia said. “Who would know that?” Fortunato pointed at the construction director, who waved a tentative hand. “Yes, sir,” Nicolae pressed, “and may I assume this would be top priority?”
    “You bet your life,” the man said, and Carpathia nearly collapsed in laughter.
    “Let me tell you something, Director. I know you must displace me for a few days because of the mess it will be to raze and raise this ceiling. But I want this done as fast as humanly possible, and do you know why?” “I have an idea, sir.” “Do you?” The man nodded. “By all means, let us hear it!”
    “Because I don’t believe you are human anymore, and you could do it faster than my team on its best day.” “Only God bestows such wisdom, Director.” “I believe I am in his presence, Potentate.” Nicolae smiled. “I believe you are too.” He turned and gestured to all. “When I lay there dead for three days, my spirit was so strong and powerful that I knew, I knew, I knew my time would come. When death had enjoyed victory over me long enough, I willed myself to live again. I raised myself, people. I raised myself back to life.”
    A murmur filled the room as the men and women approved aloud and pressed their hands together as if praying to him or worshiping him.
    Nicolae picked up the Bible in what seemed to David a loving manner. “You may wonder what this is doing here,” he said. He opened it and let it plop spine first onto the table. “This is the playbook of those who oppose me. This is the holy book of those who do not recognize me and who will not, despite what they saw with their own eyes.” He slammed a fist onto the book. “This holds the lies about the chosen people of God and the supreme lie that there is one above me.” His team, save one, murmured disapproval. Carpathia stood back from the end of the table and folded his arms, legs spread. “We shall use their very blueprint to bring them to their knees. The Jews who worship their coming Messiah in their own Holy Land, in their beloved city where they deigned slay me. I shall return there triumphant, and they will have one opportunity to repent and see the light.
    “And the Judah-ites, who believe Messiah already came and went, who believe Jesus is their Savior-and whom I see nowhere; do you?-also trace their heritage to Jerusalem. If they want to see the true and living god, let them journey there, for that is where I shall soon be. If the sacred temple is the residence of the most high God, then the most high god shall reside there, high on the throne.
    “In the city where they slew me, they shall see me,
    high and lifted up.”
    Many directors raised fists of victory and encouragement.
    “Now, some plans. As I have left no doubt in any thinking person’s mind about who I am, I no longer feel the need for a buffer between my team and me. While my dear comrade, Supreme Commander Leon Fortunato, has ably assisted me since first I came to power, I have need of him now in another crucial role, one he has already accepted with enthusiasm. What was once nobly attempted and ultimately failed shall now be consummated in success and victory.
    “The Enigma Babylon One World Faith failed because, despite its lofty goal of unifying the world’s religions, it worshiped no god but itself. It was devoted to unity, yet that was never achieved. Its god was nebulous and impersonal. But with Leon Fortunato as Most High Reverend Father of Carpathianism, the devout of the world finally have a personal god whose might and power and glory have been